Winghead Shark
Winghead Shark
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Winghead Shark
In the seas of Southeast Asia, lives a mysterious shark with a unique head shaped like outstretched wings. This is the winghead shark. Let's delve into the ecology of the winghead shark and the threats they face.
Winghead Shark Basic Infomation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Order | Carcharhiniformes |
| Vernacular Names | Winghead shark |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Habitats | Tropical coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Taxonomic Status | ACCEPTED |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Genus | Eusphyra |
| Conservation Status | Endangered (EN) |
| Rank | SPECIES |
| Family | Sphyrnidae |
| Scientific Name | Eusphyra blochii |
Size
They are about 6.2 feet (1.9 meters) long. They are a relatively small species among hammerhead sharks. Females tend to be larger than males.
Lifespan
Their lifespan in the wild is not well known.
Distribution
They are widely distributed in the tropical coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. They prefer relatively shallow waters, less than 328 feet (100 meters) deep, and are often found in muddy and sandy areas.
Winghead Shark Q&A
What kind of shark is the winghead shark?
The winghead shark is a species of hammerhead shark.
They have a very wide, laterally expanded head, called a 'cephalofoil', which resembles outstretched wings. Their cephalofoil is about half the length of their body, making it the widest among hammerhead sharks. In English, they are called 'winghead sharks', which is a very fitting name. They have a grayish body with a whitish belly. Their eyes are larger and greener than those of other hammerhead sharks. They are nocturnal, resting on the seabed during the day and becoming active at night to search for food. They are often solitary, but sometimes form small groups.
What are the secrets of the winghead shark's head shape?
The wide, laterally expanded cephalofoil of the winghead shark is thought to have several functions.
・Wide field of vision: The position of the eyes on the cephalofoil gives them a wider field of vision than other sharks, helping them to locate prey and avoid predators.
・Enhanced sense of smell: The cephalofoil also acts as an olfactory organ. By swinging it from side to side, they can detect the scent of prey from a wider area.
・Electroreceptors: The cephalofoil contains a high concentration of electroreceptors called 'ampullae of Lorenzini.' These organs can detect the weak electrical fields generated by other organisms, allowing them to find prey hidden in the sand and detect the presence of predators.
・Lift: The cephalofoil acts like an airplane wing, generating lift, allowing them to move through the water with less energy.
・Maneuverability: The cephalofoil also acts as a rudder, enabling them to make quick turns in the water.
It's truly a multifunctional hammer!
What do winghead sharks eat?
Winghead sharks are carnivores, mainly feeding on small fish and crustaceans.
They are nocturnal, becoming active at night, swimming along the seabed in search of food. They use the 'ampullae of Lorenzini' on their cephalofoil to detect prey hidden in the sand. They are also known to eat squid and octopus.
[Quiz!] Are winghead sharks endangered?
The winghead shark is listed as 'Endangered' (EN) on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.
Their numbers are declining due to human activities, such as:
・Bycatch from fisheries: They can get caught accidentally in fishing nets.
・Shark finning: Their fins are highly valued as shark fin, leading to overfishing.
・Habitat destruction: Coastal development and environmental degradation are destroying their habitats.
To protect winghead sharks, it is essential to regulate fishing, ban shark finning, and conserve their habitats. It is also important for each of us to avoid consuming shark fin soup, which contributes to their protection.
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Winghead Shark Type of List
Characteristics of the Winghead Shark
- Cephalofoil (hammer-shaped head) is exceptionally wide, laterally expanded
- Grayish body color
- Whitish belly
- Large, green eyes
- About 6.2 feet (1.9 meters) long
- Widely distributed in the tropical coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans
- Nocturnal
- Often solitary
- Endangered (EN)
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Winghead Shark References
Winghead Shark Introduction of media used
CSIRO National fish Collection, CC BY 3.0 AU, via Wikimedia Commons
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